A milestone for Samnaun: construction begins on the new Laret cable car

With the new Laretbahn, Samnaun Mountain Railways is making a targeted investment in greater comfort, better connections to the lower hamlets and modern access to the Silvretta Ski Arena Samnaun/Ischgl. 

Direct access from Laret and Compatsch
The new Laretbahn L3 will connect the hamlets of Laret and Compatsch with the ski resort. The plan is to build a modern 10-seater monocable gondola lift with an intermediate station at 1,966 m and a top station at 2,503 m near the Muller, close to the top station of the Muller M2 6-seater chairlift. This will make access to the ski arena significantly more direct and convenient for both visitors and locals.

The project brings tangible added value, particularly for overnight guests in the lower hamlets: the journey from their accommodation to the slopes will be shorter, easier and more comfortable. The new lift serves a dual purpose: it acts both as a direct feeder service and as a modern transport facility within the ski area. This enhances the ski-in/ski-out experience in Samnaun whilst improving accessibility within the destination. 

Modern cable car technology with a strategic midway station
Technically, the new facility also represents a clear step up in quality. The spacious 10-person cabins are designed for high ride comfort and wind stability. The detachable system also allows for barrier-free and relaxed boarding and alighting at the stations. The initial phase of the project will see 59 cabins with a capacity of 1,600 passengers per hour. The final phase will feature 74 cabins and a capacity of 2,000 passengers per hour. The travel speed is 6.0 m/s, with a journey time of around 11 minutes. 

One of the project’s particular strengths is the midway station. Not only does it transform the lift from a traditional feeder system, but it also increases flexibility on the slopes. In future, winter sports enthusiasts will not necessarily have to travel all the way down to the valley, but will be able to use either the upper or lower sections of the run as required. This creates additional opportunities for personalised runs and an even better connection to the Silvretta Ski Arena Samnaun/Ischgl.

The new Laretbahn covers a vertical rise of 782 metres over a horizontal distance of 3,180 metres. The valley station is at 1,721 m, the intermediate station at 1,966 m and the top station at 2,503 m. Twenty supports are planned for the route. Following a planned construction period of two years, the new facility is set to open for the winter season in November 2027. Samnaun Mountain Railways emphasise that disruption to the natural environment and summer operations during the construction phase will be kept to a minimum.

With the new Laretbahn, Samnaun is further developing its infrastructure in areas where guests directly experience the benefits: at the entrance to the ski area, in connecting the hamlets, and in the overall flow of movement on the Swiss side of the Ski Arena. The project thus clearly demonstrates the direction in which Samnaun is developing – with modern facilities, short distances and a high-quality winter sports experience for the future.